Skopje, 27 March 2026 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova opened Friday a panel discussion of European Democrat Students (EDS) participating in the EDS Winter University 2026 held in Skopje.

In her opening speech at the discussion, Siljanovska-Davkova pointed to the crisis of democracy in Europe and the world, as well as, she said, the EU’s democratic deficit, serious security threats, and the unsustainability of keeping the Western Balkan countries outside of the EU.

According to the President, the demands the country has faced from its neighboring countries for decades deviate from the Copenhagen criteria and are not in the spirit of the EU’s founding acts. 

Siljanovska-Davkova pointed to the accession of candidates which, she said, did not meet some of the EU membership criteria, as proof of double standards and damaged credibility. The President said she doesn’t believe the Western Balkans would pose a burden to the EU’s absorption capacity and stressed that its accession would mark the end “of the artificial division between West and East”, put an end to the “Balkanization”, and ensure greater security for the EU and Europe as a whole.

The President also highlighted the need for reforms within the European Union.

She said she expects the EU to reexamine its behavior and policy toward the Western Balkans considering “the growing security threats and dilemmas in an uncertain international environment, dramatic shifts in the international order, minimized multilateralism, and a serious leadership crisis”.

Siljanovska-Davkova said wars are fertile ground for authoritarianism and new migrant waves. However, she noted she still believes in the chances for negotiations to restore peace, security, and democracy. 

The participants thanked the President for the reception and the opportunity to exchange views on democracy, security, and the European future of the Western Balkans as the topic of the discussion.

Photo: President’s Office